Atalanta-Milan Preview: Last Leg

As the team heads into the last leg of the season, fans are also on their last legs after this season to forget. Even the league could care less, having switched the game from Sunday to Saturday, even though traditionally the last games are all played simultaneously. Berlusconi has already made it very clear that he will not be keeping Inzaghi, although he has yet to be officially sacked. And our injured captain, Montolivo, is already posting travel photos, too. It’s like the game is a mere formality, something that stands in the way of travel plans, change of personnel plans, and more. The only people who are probably savoring it are the statistical 8.6 players who are likely leaving Milan this summer, based on the past three years’ transfer market averages. Otherwise, it’s like everyone’s emotions are also on their last leg.

In a season to forget, Inzaghi will probably remember every painful moment

Atalanta are also on their last leg, having barely staved off relegation to live another year. They drew 1-1 away to Chievo last weekend, and I would guess are hoping to just make a decent showing in front of their fans. For the Chievo match, Reja lined up Sportiello; Del Grosso, Masiello, Zappacosta, Benalouane; Baselli, Cigarini, Grassi; Gomez, Moralez and Boakye. However, he should have the 5-match ban recipient German Denis available again, even if he is still missing Estigarribia and Raimondi to injuries.

Inzaghi will be missing the most important World Cup Winning Zaccardo to suspension, as his contract goes through 2017 and so he didn’t need to travel to Bergamo to say goodbye to the fans. But there is also the injured list of players Inzaghi will be missing: Bonera, Antonelli, De Sciglio, Montolivo, Essien, Agazzi, and Rami. However, he will have Menez, Bonaventura, and Suso back from suspension. So if the squad plays anything like they did on Sunday, they should be able to take three points and possibly improve our place on the table. Or not. After all, they’re apparently on their last leg.

Not sure if Inzaghi is ready to end where he began

What a fitting mateh for Inzaghi to potentially end his Milan career at, though, away to the club that put his playing career on the map. It will have to be bittersweet for him regardless of the result, since Galliani actually did pick up the phone and tell him the club’s intentions were to hire a new coach. So with everyone on their last leg, nothing much to be gained or lost, I guess the best we can hope for is that our team play a great game to honor the shirt, to honor the players who are leaving, and to honor Inzaghi. Emotions will likely be high, let’s hope the quality of football is, too.

This post inspired by the music of The Cure’s “Last Dance”

Atalanta vs. Milan

Saturday, May 30 • 20:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)

This match is being shown LIVE on RAI in the U.S.